Man pleads no contest to burning 'Toucan' building
Dec 12, 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man has pleaded no contest to starting the fire in September that swept through the "Toucan" building in Downtown Bakersfield, according to court records.
Michael Leon Webber, 48, pleaded no contest Wednesday to unlawfully causing a fire, records show. Three other charges were dismissed.
He's scheduled to be sentenced next month and faces two years in custody.
Oildale man takes plea deal after son, 3, shoots sister, 6
Webber was spotted on surveillance video going inside the building on the afternoon of Sept. 2, according to Bakersfield Fire Department investigators. He left soon after, and smoke started pouring from the building.
Webber, who is homeless, was arrested Sept. 6 in the 2000 block of Chester Avenue. He was found with a backpack containing two glass pipes used for smoking methamphetamine, a syringe with suspected heroin and pepper spray, investigators said in a court filing.
He remains in custody on $50,000 bail.